HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/6/2013 - Planning And Zoning Board - Agenda - P&Z Final Worksession AgendaPLANNING AND ZONING BOARD
WORKSESSION AGENDA
Friday, December 6, 2013, noon to 5 pm
281 N. College Conference Room A
Web users: Documents for the Consent and Discussion Items shown
below can be found under the December 12, 2013 hearing agenda.
DECEMBER 12, 2013 HEARING – 2 Hours
Consent:
• Kechter Farm Annexation and Zoning (Ex) 20 mins.
• Spring Creek Farms 4th filing (Holland) 20 mins
• Link-n-Greens Community Commercial – Poudre River Zone
District (Kadrich) 20 mins
Discussion:
• SPAR_FCC Integrated Technology Bldg (Gloss) 30 mins.
• Foothills Mall PDP Major Amend Phase 2 (Levingston) 45 mins
STAFF UPDATES – 1 Hour
• Bike Parking at MAX Stations (Belmont & Iverson) 15 mins
• Lincoln Corridor Plan Update (Wray) 30 mins
• Solar Code Revisions – Initial Draft Concepts (Gloss) 20 mins
BOARD TOPICS: 2 Hours
• Debrief of Nov 14 and 21 Hearings
• Complete review of 2014 P&Z Work Plan document
• January dates: Worksession 1/3 and Hearing 1/9/14 ok?
• Two PZ Representatives to work with CPIO Office/Citizen Survey
Results
• December 17 CC names P&Z Members; set new member
orientation date
• APF – Adequate Public Facilities
• Overview – NE Fort Collins Development: Master Street Plan, etc.
(Kadrich)
• Mountain Vista Subarea & E. Mulberry Corridor (Enclave)
Updates (Kadrich)
• Other (APU Subcommittee Minutes)
City Council
Communications & Public
Involvement
215 N. Mason Street
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6882
970.221-6586 - fax
fcgov.com
Dear Board and Commission members,
The City of Fort Collins wants to know what's important to you!
We want to gather input and feedback to inform strategic planning for a city government that is efficient
and effective. In addition to our 2013 Citizen Survey, we are doing additional outreach to all segments of
the community. Boards and commissions are an important part of that.
As engaged citizens, your responses will help City leaders assess public opinion as part of the strategic
planning process.
Representatives of your board or commission are invited to the Boards and Commissions Community
Conversation to share your thoughts on what should be the City’s top priorities during the next three to
five years. For those unable to attend, please visit fcgov.com/citizensurvey to provide your thoughts
online.
Boards and Commissions Community Conversation
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Community Room
215 N. Mason St.
Please RSVP to Christine Macrina at cmacrina@fcgov.com
Community Development &
Neighborhood Services
281 N. College Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.224.6046
970.224.6134 FAX
www.fcgov.com
TO: Planning and Zoning Board
FROM: Laurie Kadrich, Community Development and Neighborhood Services Director
DATE: December 2, 2013
PROJECT: Addition of a Permitted Use (APU)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
On July 9, 2013, during a joint work session with City Council, the Planning and Zoning Board suggested
that a citizen task force be developed to review potential improvements to the APU process or
Ordinance. The Planning and Zoning Board appointed a sub-committee of the board to meet with
residents and development community members on this topic to be chaired by Planning and Zoning
Board member Jeff Schneider. The committee met twice, on October 16 and November 7, 2013.
Several suggestions were made by those attending; see attached meeting notes.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the following options may be helpful to improving the process based on the
input received thus far:
1. Adding an “Applicability” clause to APU and remove its application from RUL, UE, RF, and RL
zones
2. Adding a Purpose Statement to the section
3. Requiring a second neighborhood meeting if the APU is requested in an existing neighborhood
4. Add some or all of the modification criteria to the APU requirements especially if the request is
in or adjacent to an existing residential neighborhood
a. The one suggested was to require a community benefit: substantially alleviate an
existing defined and described problem of city-wide concern or would result in a
substantial benefit to the city by reason of the fact that the proposed project would
substantially address and important community need specifically and expressly defined
and described in the city’s comprehensive Plan or in an adopted policy, ordinance or
resolution of the City Council and the strict application of such zoning uses would render
the project infeasible.
1.3.4 Addition of Permitted Uses
Purpose Statement: The general purpose of an Addition of Permitted Uses is to…
Applicability: This provision shall apply to all zones except RUL, UE, RF and RL
(A) Required Findings. In conjunction with an application for approval of an overall
development plan, a project development plan, a final plan or any amendment of the
foregoing, and upon the petition of the applicant or on the Director's own initiative, the
Director (or the Planning and Zoning Board as specifically authorized and limited in
subsection (B) below) may add to the uses specified in a particular zone district any
other similar use which conforms to all of the following conditions:
(1) Such use is appropriate in the zone district to which it is added;
(2) Such use conforms to the basic characteristics of the zone district and the
other permitted uses in the zone district to which it is added;
(3) Such use does not create any more offensive noise, vibration, dust, heat,
smoke, odor, glare or other objectionable influences or any more traffic
hazards, traffic generation or attraction, adverse environmental impacts,
adverse impacts on public or quasi-public facilities, utilities or services, adverse
effect on public health, safety, morals or aesthetics, or other adverse impacts of
development, than the amount normally resulting from the other permitted
uses listed in the zone district to which it is added;
(4) Such use is compatible with the other listed permitted uses in the zone
district to which it is added;
(5) Such use is not a medical marijuana dispensary or a medical marijuana
cultivation facility.
(B) Planning and Zoning Board Authority and Limitation. In conjunction with an
application for approval of an overall development plan, a project development plan, a
final plan or any amendment of the foregoing, the Planning and Zoning Board may add a
proposed use if the Board specifically finds that such use would not be detrimental to
the public good and would be in compliance with the requirements and criteria
contained in Section 3.5.1, and Section 2.8.2 (H) (2) provided that such addition of a
proposed use by the Planning and Zoning Board must be specific to the proposed site
and shall not be considered for a text amendment under subsection (C) below and
provided further that such use is not specifically listed as a "Prohibited Use" in the zone
district in which the proposed site is located, and provided that at least two (2)
neighborhood meetings were held regarding the project plan.
(C) Codification of New Use. When any use has been added by the Director to the list of
permitted uses in any zone district in accordance with subsection (A) above, such use
shall be promptly considered for an amendment to the text of this Code under Division
2.9. If the text amendment is approved, such use shall be deemed to be permanently
listed in the appropriate permitted use list of the appropriate zone district and shall be
added to the published text of this Code at the first convenient opportunity, by
ordinance of City Council pursuant to Division 2.9. If the text amendment is not
approved, such use shall not be deemed permanently listed in the zone district, except
that such use shall continue to be deemed a permitted use in such zone district for only
the development proposal for which it was originally approved under subsection (A)
above.
(D) Conditions. When any use has been added to the list of permitted uses in any zone
district in accordance with this Section, the Director (or the Planning and Zoning Board,
if applicable) may impose such conditions and requirements on such use as are
necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes and intent of this Code, to ensure
consistency with City Plan and its adopted components and associated sub-area plans,
to prevent or minimize adverse effects and impacts upon the public and neighborhoods,
and to ensure compatibility of uses.
Notes from Planning and Zoning Board Subcommittee on Addition of Permitted Use
October 16, 2013
3:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Members of Public Present: Mark Kenning, Michelle Haefele, Mike Knowles, Kathryn Dubiel, Paul
Patterson, Dave Lingle, Craig Russell, Linda Ripley, Nick Hawes
Members of Board Present: Jeff Schneider, Gerald Hart, Jennifer Carpenter
Staff Present: Laurie Kadrich, Sarah Burnett
Welcome and Introductions:
Jeff Schneider welcomed the participants, and asked each participant to introduce themselves and to
explain their interest in the Addition of Permitted Use (APU) process.
Jeff explained that after the Board received a number of comments the APU process, held an initial
review of the APU on June 21, 2013, and discussed the APU process with City Council at a July work
session, the Planning and Zoning Board asked a subcommittee to gather further public input. Today’s
meeting is intended to allow Board members to hear the participants’ questions and comments about the
process. The subcommittee would then take the discussion back to the Planning and Zoning Board for
their consideration and recommendation on whether to maintain the APU process as it is, or to consider
potential changes.
Comment Summary:
This is a summary of the comments and major themes that were discussed. More detailed notes are
appear starting on Page 3.
• Purpose of this section of Land Use Code should be clearly stated.
• Several felt that is was important to have a code provision to allow flexibility in exceptional
circumstances.
• Code is vague and does not provide clear criteria for applicants, neighbors and decision-makers;
most thought it should be made more clear to increase predictability of interpretation.
• Controversial APUs were more likely to be in/near residential areas.
• Though staff may see APU as more protective to neighbors than a rezoning, neighbors often see
an APU as adding a new use that is not permitted in the zone district and changes the character
of a neighborhood.
• Several factors could be used for different types of APUs or excluding projects from the APU
process. Possible ways to distinguish proposals could include:
o Size
o New construction vs. existing development
o Greenfield vs. infill
o In or adjacent to residential areas vs. in or adjacent to other types of uses
• The timing of neighborhood meetings is important; a second neighborhood meeting after the
application is submitted may be helpful to provide feedback to neighbors following the initial
neighborhood meeting.
• Some APUs were viewed as much larger changes to zone districts than had been anticipated
when the APU code provisions were presented and adopted. (Major changes vs. minor “tweaks”
to uses in a zone district)
APU Subcommittee
October 16, 2013
Page 2
• Some disagreement: City Plan calls for more density, but Zoning Map defines allowed uses. Does
City Plan trump the Zoning Map? Developers/City Plan sees arterials and other areas as places
for density. Neighbors see zoning map as a contract with the community.
• There is a concern that APUs allowing non-residential uses will gradually creep into residential
neighborhoods and cause the residential areas to change in character and no longer be as
desirable.
• (Comment received after meeting: conversion of homes to offices does not increase residential
density, it does the opposite. Therefore, it really doesn’t fall within the rationale of City Plan.)
Next Steps:
• Laurie will review information from meeting with staff, and look at ways to improve the APU
process based on input from the meeting.
• Group will meet again.
• Group members will have the opportunity to review any recommendation that would go forward to
City Council.
APU Subcommittee
October 16, 2013
Page 3
Background Information and Discussion:
Laurie Kadrich noted that some residents have commented that APU should not be used as a rezoning
tool. Laurie commented that APU is a tool that is used in lieu of rezoning to get a specific use that would
be appropriate on a site (whereas a rezoning could introduce the possibility of other uses that would not
be appropriate on a site). Many neighbors are more comfortable with APU (sometimes known as a
conditional use in other communities). A rezoning opens up everything allowed in the new zone district.
• Could a rezoning could be linked to a specific development proposal? Laurie noted that rezonings
typically are not done at the Planning and Zoning Board level without a broader public discussion.
(neighbor)
• Neighbors of the Regency multi-family project were clearly not comfortable with adding the multi-
family use to the Residential – Low Density (RL) zoning on the site. In that case and in the case
of the conversion of homes to offices in the Neighborhood Conservation – Low Density (NCL)
zone district, APUs have been approved over the protests of the neighborhoods. (Laurie clarified
her earlier comment, and said that the APU enables the community to react to a specific
project/use.) (neighbor)
• After the Regency project was turned down at the Council appeal, there were neighborhood
concerns that the whole 23 acres (the church property and the Lakeview property) could have
been rezoned. He believes that some APUs make perfect sense, but others may not. (neighbor)
• When the Board first adopted the APU, it was supposed to be used only for minor tweaks. He
asked if the process has now been used for more significant changes; another participant from
the development community said that it has. (former P&Z member)
• A consultant stated that the vague language makes it hard to advise clients, as it is not easy to
predict whether a proposal meets the standard. She noted that in the Regency appeal, several
Council members also noted that they thought the APU was also for smaller changes to uses.
However, she believes that a tool for something larger than “tweaks” is needed. (developer)
Language to Make APU More Predictable:
Jeff asked participants to suggest any language changes that could help make APU more predictable for
all. Ideas/comments included:
• Evaluation of APU should be tied to the intent of the zone district (developer)
• Current language allows different people, acting reasonably, to reach different conclusions (he
noted his concern with Regency related to the proposed density, not the multi-family use itself).
Needs clarity (neighbor)
• Zoning is a contract with residents; increased restrictions/requirements are needed for APU in
and next to existing neighborhoods (neighbor)
• Planning documents provide vision for the city and its growth, but also for neighborhoods; APU
language should reflect that (neighbor)
• Purpose of residential zone districts should be reflected; people want to keep living in their
neighborhoods, and they should keep a residential character. (neighbor)
• There may be compatibility concerns in non-residential zones too. As a board member, I’m very
concerned about compatibility, but our community is changing and growing (cited Shields near
CSU). (board member)
• City’s policies and plans will increase density. There are conflicting objectives between City Plan,
subarea plans, and zone districts, which creates a tension. (developer)
• A benefit of APU is that more limits on heights, buffers, etc. can be placed on a project. (board
member)
• Language for APU is vague; perhaps a set of criteria could help define more clearly. (developer)
• APU can be applied in any zone district when the usual rules don’t fit; as consultant, will be more
cautious about using it in the future. (developer)
• Vague language is a problem. (neighbor)
APU Subcommittee
October 16, 2013
Page 4
• Several observations:
o The initial Development Review Overview meeting (to describe the process) was
frustrating because staff couldn’t tell the neighbors much about the project itself.
o From the start, the residents were behind the curve, as staff and the developer’s
consultants knew how the system worked.
o The hearing, with 2-3 minutes for each public comment, but unlimited time for developers
and the City felt very disempowering and disadvantageous to the neighbors.
o Neighbors felt extremely lucky that we had the people we did in our neighborhood, and
without the expertise in the neighborhood, they would not have prevailed. Other
neighborhoods probably would not have prevailed - but the outcome of an APU shouldn’t
come down to luck. (neighbor)
• Inadequate communication and education may have contributed to the feelings of
disempowerment. (board member)
• It might be helpful/more empowering to have the DRO meeting late, after the meeting with
developers. (neighbor)
• Staff recommendations for approval are discouraging to those opposed to a proposal. (neighbor)
• Laurie explained staff is looking at whether a project meets the Land Use Code; if so,
recommendation will be for approval. This needs to be explained better during the process. Staff
is working on tools to more effectively impact proposals through neighborhood input. She also
noted that infill proposals are much more contentious than proposals in undeveloped areas.(staff)
• APU for similar/identical use to past use not problematic, such as the conversion of a school to a
day care center on Shields (neighbor)
• APU too vague to use in existing neighborhoods. Regency Lakeview, when first presented to the
neighbors, was the equivalent of HMN density (later reduced to MMN density in RL zone) More
specific APU language should have prohibited HMN density in the RL zone. (neighbor)
• Is there no problem with APU in greenfield situations? (developer)
• In an NCL neighborhood “peninsula” bordered by NCM, NCB, and a small MMN area, there is a
fear that it will become an “island” if homes near Mulberry are chipped away to office and other
non-permitted uses. (neighbor)
• Perhaps APUs could be allowed, but with conditions. For example, allow a four-story multi-family
structure in a lower density zone district, but with buffers and height transitions beyond what is
required in the code for zone districts where such structures are ordinarily allowed. (developer)
• When an APU is not successful, it may indicate that the process worked. The process can be
risky for developers and contentious, but the client wanted to proceed (with an MMN-like project
in the RL zone). Commented that it “could” have been zoned MMN and fit City Plan. Doesn’t mind
system the way it is. (developer)
• Without a unique set of people and circumstances, the Regency APU would have been
successful; otherwise the neighborhood would have lost. (neighbor)
• City Plan calls for more density, and with infill projects, there will be more conflicts. Corners of
arterials should have density, but it does conflict with neighbors. (board member)
• City Plan should not override zoning, which is a contract with the community. (neighbor)
• I’m concerned about overlays such as PDOD and TOD and their chipping away at lower-density
neighborhoods. Considering moving to an area with HOA covenants. (neighbor)
o APU being used for commercial property conditions. For the church office on Mantz,
conditions were placed on the approval. For the State Farm (now Kevco) office on
Mulberry and Shields, a condition not to change the exterior was placed on the approval
(so as to appear as a single family house), but the property was sold and a large sign
went up. (neighbor)
Need to Examine/Modify APU Code Provisions:
Jeff asked participants whether there was a need to modify the code.
APU Subcommittee
October 16, 2013
Page 5
• It is important to have a process like APU when existing conditions just do not work. I don’t want
to see more complicated requirements. One improvement might be to look at requiring some
benefit to the existing neighborhood in exchange for the APU, e.g. meeting a neighborhood need;
making something better. (developer)
• A better explanation of purpose/intent is needed. Using APU for tweaks seems ok, but it seems
there may be a point where changes are bigger than envisioned for APU. (developer)
• I agree that APU is appropriate for tweaks, but there needs to be a better/stronger way to
evaluate them. I also believe that there needs to be clear communication about how your input
goes in, and what feedback there will be. I’m concerned more about the process than the APU
itself. (neighbor)
• Laurie commented that at the neighborhood meeting, it is not always known what the proposal
will look like when submitted. A missing part in the feedback loop is an additional meeting after
the proposal has been submitted. Sometimes developers have another neighborhood meeting,
but it is not required by code.
• Neighborhood meeting feedback is very important early in the process (board member)
• More criteria are needed – perhaps with different criteria for existing vs. new construction; look at
public good vs. private good – does the project enhance the public good (neighbor)
• It is important to empower neighborhoods to understand and participate. If the process is against
the neighborhood from the start, the outcome will not be accepted. If neighbors can actively
participate, the outcome will be more accepted. (neighbor)
• The language is vague. Zone districts should define prohibited uses. Without that, the mention of
prohibited uses in the APU code section does not make sense. During the review, the burden on
residents is huge when confronted with developers who do this for a living. A citizen’s guide to
understand APU would be helpful. It would be good to leverage the experience the Regency
neighbors had to help others. (neighbor)
• The language is vague; the code needs more specific language. This is a difficult problem. I
believe there are issues with the code provisions for how the hearing is run, and the lack of a
rebuttal opportunity for citizens. (neighbor)
• The process for our project (Buckinghorse) worked fine, though it was sometimes frustrating.
Missing from the criteria is the opportunity to give something back, as is present with Modification
of Standard (MOS) and PDOD. The criteria to meet a MOS is very clear; APU is not. (developer)
o Laurie: if the decision on the APU went to the Planning and Zoning Board prior to the
project as a whole, would that be helpful?
o No, that would be too cumbersome.
• Would size help determine what should be an APU vs. a rezoning? (board member)
• I believe that we should go back to the original intent of the APU – for small things, like a bike
shop on the corner of two arterials in a residential zone district. Some of those discussed today
are very different animals from what was discussed when the APU was presented and adopted
by the P&Z Board. (former P&Z board member, developer)
• Laurie: Because some very large APUs (Buckinghorse and Woodward) worked well, size may not
be best way to distinguish projects appropriate for APU. The idea of looking at existing properties
vs. undeveloped land may be worth exploring further.
• Excluding existing properties may be problematic. (Noted that Boulder and other communities
have more subjective standards than Fort Collins.) (developer)
• Perhaps a different way of evaluating APU may be needed in residential areas (rather than
excluding APU from residential areas). (neighbor)
• The idea of a second neighborhood meeting after the first round of staff comments is a good one.
(developer)
• More education for neighbors about City Plan may be helpful – an educational component is
missing to help people understand increased density. (developer)
Notes from Planning and Zoning Board Subcommittee on Addition of Permitted Use
November 7, 2013
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Members of Public Present: Mark Kenning, Michelle Haefele, Kathryn Dubiel, Paul Patterson, Diane
Kenning, Nick Hawes
Members of Board Present: Jeff Schneider (Chair, APU Subcommittee), Gerald Hart, Jennifer
Carpenter, Andy Smith (Chair, Planning and Zoning Board)
Staff Present: Laurie Kadrich, Sarah Burnett
Welcome and Introductions:
Laurie opened the meeting by noting that some may have expected a recommendation from her on
possible APU changes to be presented at this meeting. She noted that that the information gathered in
the October 16 and November 7 APU meetings will instead be presented to the full Planning and Zoning
Board. The Board can then determine what kind of recommendation or feedback will be provided to City
Council.
She noted that there will be opportunities to keep the discussion going. Andy Smith, Chair of the
Planning and Zoning Board, noted that the Board may make recommendations to City Council, instead of
directing staff to create new policy without direction from City Council.
Andy noted that there may be an opportunity for more discussion at the December Planning and Zoning
Board work session on this policy issue, as well as a discussion agenda item at the December Planning
and Zoning Board meeting.
Because this was the first Planning and Zoning Board subcommittee in the memory of long-time board
members, this is somewhat of a new concept. Much information has been gathered to share with the full
board, and it was determined that the subcommittee will be providing the feedback to the board, rather
than making recommendations to the full board.
Meeting Summary:
• One participant felt the notes from the October 16 meeting missed the point that zoning creates
expectations among residents about developments near them. A board member noted that many
concerns about APU are in single family neighborhoods.
• A question was raised about the applicability of City Plan vs. zoning in land use decisions. As an
example, if City Plan encourages more intensive uses along arterial streets, how does that relate
to the zoning? Laurie responded that City Plan is not a governing document; it is only for
guidance. Therefore, zoning “trumps” City Plan in land use decisions.
• Another concern raised is about the potential for churches in residential areas to sell and convert
the land to other uses through APU.
• Laurie noted that City Plan revision is scheduled for a revision, and noted that many of our codes
were written for greenfield development rather that the infill that we are seeing now. In response
to a question from a participant, she will check to see if the zoning map will be updated at that
time.
APU Subcommittee
October 16, 2013
Page 2
• Another participant: for a church redevelopment, APU is not the only mechanism. Depending on
the zone district, a variety of uses may be allowed without APU. (The earlier commenter was
thinking about changing from church to other uses in the R-L zone district.)
• A board member noted that many proposals around town buffer uses, with fields by churches,
etc. He noted a need to “feather” intensity and density from higher to lower intensity uses.
• Another board member believes that these concerns will be symptomatic of the next 15 years,
and ways to minimize conflict should be explored.
• A resident suggested (1) eliminating APU from single family residential zone districts, or at least
eliminating APUs for restaurant or commercial uses from single-family residential zone districts,
and (2) having some concrete way to evaluate APU proposals.
• A resident noted that since the conversion of 1124 Mulberry to a commercial use, the County is
taxing the property at a higher rate. While the conversion doesn’t serve residential interests, the
government gets additional tax revenue, leaving the neighborhoods vulnerable.
• Laurie noted that moving services closer to residential areas is a goal of City Plan. She also
noted City Plan has competing objectives. Staff considers mixed uses favorably. The resident
responded that the 1124 Mulberry APU (which is now a real estate office) does not reduce trips or
serve a neighborhood need like a haircutter or other service provider would, and believes
commercial APUs should be limited or prohibited in residential zones which do not allow
commercial uses. She would like the City to hold the line against developers/property owners who
may use APU to increase the value of property for sale, thereby “chipping away” at the
neighborhoods.
• A board member stated that uses at intersections of arterials could be viewed differently than
those in a neighborhood.
• A consultant noted that lots of residential districts (LMN and “up”) do allow non-residential uses,
but residential-only (with a few additional uses like schools, churches, and parks) zones do exist.
• Laurie noted that RL zones on the fringe of the city could have a different character than RL
zones in the center of the city. Design standards for a zone wouldn’t necessarily work in all low
density zone neighborhoods. (One resident was very concerned by this comment, as RL and
NCL zones are already defined by their zoning.)
• A board member noted that RL came into being to preserve single-family neighborhoods that
were already built (during the transition from the Land Use Guidance System to a prescriptive
code). The board may need to look at places where these neighborhoods can be made more
walkable while preserving their character.
• Another board member noted that RL uses include group homes, community facilities, and child
care centers – uses some might not expect. He noted that the Mantz neighborhood (NCL) could
explore historic designation.
• Laurie explained that a long term goal may be to have a resource when a map could show a
parcel’s zone, subarea plan, possible uses, etc. so that residents could be more aware of
possible uses.
• One resident felt they did their due diligence regarding zoning where their home is located, and
suggested that instead of APU for uses not allowed in the zone district, developers could locate
across the street where the proposed use is allowed. Zoning is meant to provide protection for
single family neighborhoods; APU threatens that protection.
• Laurie noted that these sessions have provided an opportunity for staff and the board to really
listen to neighbors, while respecting the rights of property owners to develop as allowed in zone
districts.
• A board member noted that zone districts encourage change, including toward multiple uses.
Zoning provides a range of predictability, but APU is not as predictable.
• Laurie noted that planning staff she visited with did not agree that APU was intended for small
changes only (one previous board member believed that, when reviewed by the board, APU was
intended for less consequential changes). Staff also did not think APU would be in the code
forever, and that it might be replaced by another tool at some point.
APU Subcommittee
October 16, 2013
Page 3
Next Steps:
• Laurie noted some options that the Board might want to consider, such as:
o Modifying the zone districts where APU could be used
o Modifying allowed uses within certain zone districts
o Implementing a threshold in terms of size of project (through size is not always the issue,
with Buckinghorse and Woodward as examples of non-controversial APUs)
o Developing a different standard/tool for use in existing neighborhoods (this would need to
include an assessment of how many potential sites are around the city)
o Prohibit APU in some zone districts
• A board member expressed a desire to better manage the APU process to reduce conflicts with
neighborhoods.
• Laurie also indicated a desire to do something different to address the concerns. City Council has
asked the Planning and Zoning Board for options (this could include recommendations for change
or no changes). The Board will review the feedback received and make a recommendation.